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since we had so many problems last year with ATX, Jack offered to come up from Ohio to WI and fine tune my system. He did a superior job! Fixed many issues with the computers and ATX,,,If you need help - Jack is the person to call and come fix it. Thank you Jack for your time and help. and sorry your flight was delayed and you got to spend extra time in the great Northwoods...

i always feel just a little sad when all the decorations are down.

PLEASE, would those of you who use other programs please stop the posts just bashing ATX? It has gotten really irritating and serves no useful purpose. Brag all you want about your wonderful choice, but if you are not using ATX, you don't need to slam it.

I'll take Tabby's side in this. Most of my wealthy clients pay at least 25% more. There are several reasons for this, but not just because they can afford it or to offset somebody else's discount. Wealthy people expect to pay for first class service. Others only want to pay for basics if that's all they need. It isn't much different from telling a shoebox client I must add a bookkeeping charge, except wealthy clients already assume I will do whatever ancillary work is needed. Same with prioritizing. Premium clients may get special treatment in packaging or delivery--whatever they need without worrying about nickels and dimes. They know they can call throughout the year for simple planning questions or an IRS letter without going on the clock, so in that sense the extra fee is like a retainer. In a different view it's like bumping the fee for a troublesome client, except the extra handholding is already assumed. Another common reason for a higher fee is that a wealthy client's 1040, even if simple, may relate to a package of services. Perhaps it has to coordinate with a corporate or trust return. Maybe I throw in a dependent's return without separate charge. Also, even if a wealthy client has a simple return my E&O exposure may be higher, an intangible but real cost of overhead. So, yeah.

He has offered to help over and over again. It's nice to see him getting some recognition instead of attacks!

I have had absolutely noooooo!!!!! problems with ATX this year. I really wish you guys would stop the bashing and get busy doing other things. Yes, some are still having troubles, but absolutely not to the same degree we saw last year. I installed the most recent update, didn't rush the program, let it do it's on thing while I went about other business, finished install in less than 5 minutes, didn't rush the re-open waited, when I opened I had not problem, rolled over a return with assets, assets, flowed, no problem. I do believe that the ones that are having problems, are not installing per instructed. ATX did a wonderful job this year on the install instructions, and have been quick to respond if an issue arises. Jack is very good to help if you will PM him like he has asked. I monitor the other ATX site, and believe me the difference from this year and last year is totally different. I feel for the ones that are having issues, but again, they seem to be much smaller this year. Deb!

No, it can be in the individual's name. Here's from the 1040 instructions: The insurance plan must be established under your business. Your personal services must have been a material income-producing factor in the business. If you are filing Schedule C, C-EZ, or F, the policy can be either in your name or in the name of the business. If you are a partner, the policy can be either in your name or in the name of the partnership. You can either pay the premiums yourself or your partnership can pay them and report them as guaranteed payments. If the policy is in your name and you pay the premiums yourself, the partnership must reimburse you and report the premiums as guaranteed payments. If you are a more-than-2% shareholder in an S corporation, the policy can be either in your name or in the name of the S corporation. You can either pay the premiums yourself or the S corporation can pay them and report them as wages. If the policy is in your name and you pay the premiums yourself, the S corporation must reimburse you. You can deduct the premiums only if the S corporation reports the premiums paid or reimbursed as wages in box 1 of your Form W-2 in 2013 and you also report the premium payments or reimbursements as wages on Form 1040, line 7.

Lucky you. I'd really enjoy meeting him myself. Bet we'd have a great time!

I absolutely and totally agree. It is getting really old. There never was a year without a single issue and probably never will be. I agree with Deb and Jack. Follow directions and have Patience. The ATX program is working as of now.

I agree, Deb. Jack can sometimes be a bit abrasive, but he is a good guy who goes out of his way to help others here.

This is it in a nutshell. Generally the higher income clients DO have more complex returns, but not always. Therefore, they are charged accordingly. However, if I choose to do several returns pro bono, which I do, it does not affect the price paid by any other client.

I think I now understand your point, Jack, although after your first post I did not. I do agree that someone should not be overcharged just 'because they can afford it'. Of course, normally they do pay more because their returns are usually more complex, but it should not be further inflated just to offset a discount to someone else. In fairness, any 'compassionate discount' I give should be out of my pocket, not some other client that I overcharged to 'make up the difference'. I think that is what you meant.

jklcpa is absolutely correct that no SE health insurance deduction is allowed if the individual is eligible for group coverage under someone else's plan. Also, the odds are about 100% that the spouse's insurance premiums come out of her pay pre-tax. You can't deduct something from taxable income that was never included in taxable income in the first place.

Jack- You know what I loathe? When I see the prices some people charge....I consider it nothing more than theft by taking advantage of the uninformed & helpless. If I save a grad student with huge loans....who has a part-time job so he doesn't need to eat Rahmen Noodle Soup daily....a few dollars in tax prep fees.....well, I think that's pretty nice of me. You know...what goes around comes around. I'm sorry you see this as destroying Capitalism....but I see it as being a nice person....and as payback for help that I got when I was young and poor.

No, the policy would have to be either in the name of his business or an individual policy, or medicare. Also, his business would have to show a profit after deducting 1/2 s.e. tax and any related SEP-IRA, SIMPLE-IRA, or Keogh deduction. Also, he cannot deduct any insurance costs for any months he was eligible to participate in a subsidized group health insurance plan through his spouse's employer.

But, because his flight was delayed, I had an extra day to pick his brain. Jack is the go-to man and we so enjoyed meeting him.

I also agree!

appreciate all of the help. no, i didnt have any intention on bashing the product just want to get this working.

The program you are using, Drake, is working fine. Spend your time and effort on it. PLEASE!!!

In this type of situation, I generally use export to a jump drive and then import into the main computer when I get home. This has always worked for me and the small drive is easy to carry with you. I have mine on a cord that I can hang around my neck if I feel the need for extra security. Export and Import is much more user friendly than backup and restore for moving files.

Presently, ATX is my backup software. I don't purchase the backup software due to my low volume of returns, but I do have a selection. That's one of the reasons I continue to participate on the Unofficial ATX Community, although the greater reason it that I enjoy the comraderie and the quality of the tax-related discussion is superb. Because I'm transitioning into retirement, the number of returns I prepare is decreasing each year, but if I prepared a significant number of returns I would buy the backup software on a PPR basis and would actually use it on a few in order to be up to speed on it, as I've stated in other posts. I have tested TaxSlayer and could use it in a pinch, although I agree with you it's a little clunky. My ultoimate backup is Form 4868, which I use extensively even when all is going well with my software. As for the Drake training, it's very easy to get real-time Drake training if you have two monitors, or two computers side-by-side. (I have both - my main computer has dual monitors and then I have a second computer beside it using a single monitor). A third alternative is to have a smart phone or tablet device beside your computer - the only requirement is that it must be able to run flash player. II can't get my iPad to run flash player, so I think the device has to be something other than an iPad. You open the Drake software on one monitor to begin preparing the return. You open the Drake tutorial on the other monitor (or other device), and run it while you are preparing the return. You can stop the tutorial, back up, or skip ahead as your needs require. There are several very good tutorials on the Drake web site suitable for doing this.

Ok I emailed my associate and this what exactly happened to his computer, the windows updated automatically setup an admin password, since he didn't have the password, he had to create a new user profile in windows, then he had to transfer/move ATX 2012 (only program that gave him issues, prior years worked okay), when he would open ATX 2012, it was searching for the his old user profile, somehow ATX associates the user login profile from windows, that was a quick fix by calling ATX.

CAN IT jshtax! You know the reason I cannot post. I am HONORING my NDA. I will give assistance to anyone who will contact me. Apparently, there are many complainers that don't really want assistance.

Two things to share to get you off to a new year with a laugh. This cat barks like a dog, until she gets caught doing it, and then, clearly embarrassed, meows. http://www.wimp.com/catbarks/ This link should have you thinking that the start of ta season is not so bad, after all....... http://themattwalshblog.com/2014/01/01/heres-why-i-havent-been-updating-my-blog/

As all your information for posting, etc. ---- WORKS GREAT! Thanks again, Ed.

MsTabbykats I agree with you that sometimes we have to use our heart and look at the situation. So if you want to give a price break to a student, go right ahead, because it make you feel good that you helped someone. I had done free tax returns for a woman who was in the 4th stage of cancer because I knew she was the main breadwinner of the family and when she could not work, living on disability insurance things were really tight for her family. The money she saved on my fees meant her kids got to eat a better meal with that money or she had money to buy meds or pay rent etc. The waived fees did NOT make me poor or change my lifestyle. At the end of our lives we will be answering to a higher power!

The January 1 release of Drake 2013 and the 2014 Client Write Up are now available for download at the support site. WHAT’S IN THIS RELEASE • Software for sending live transmissions to the IRS and approved states • Federal and state tax compliance programs. Most state forms and packages are live on this version. • Software tools, reports, setup, and Drake Document Manager IMPORTANT DATES January 2, 2014: · Drake begins receiving 1040 and business returns for 2011 through 2013 · Drake begins receiving 1041 returns for 2013 · Drake begins transmitting to the CA Department of Revenue · Drake begins receiving 94X returns · January 13, 2014: Drake begins transmitting all business and 1041 returns to IRS. · January 13, 2014: Drake begins transmitting 94x returns to the IRS. · January 31, 2014: Drake begins transmitting 1040 returns to the IRS; customers begin receiving first IRS 1040 acknowledgements and bank acknowledgements. If you need assistance or have questions, please contact us at 828-524-8020. EDIT: After installation make sure at the bottom it says version: P2. <date> The P2 is the key that you have the correct working copy, not the initial release that was just Organizers.

Appreciate it --- tried it, it works well! I also tried to use it for an email address but that didn't work. What am I missing? Thanks again and also in advance for the email help. Shows Eric not only has knowledge BUT has a good heart, as he saw a need and wanted to help and fill a BIG void. Thanks for the Eric information. ERIC, THANK YOU again ! Stay as you are (well, happy, having fun and enjoying). If any of those are missing, here is praying and hoping for a good change for you; you deserve it.

Making higher income tax clients pay higher fees to subsidize your income to compensate for you charging low fees to lower income people is welfare by definition! More of what is destroying Capitalism in America. More successful people are penalized to support the less successful simply because they are MORE SUCCESSFUL. I loathe that approach to fees. Rant over.

Thanks for the input to my original question. I've decided I'll give each client the fee before I start....generally a bit more than last year. And, that's based on the information supplied at the time...which they will also be told. I can't do an hourly fee....it just wouldn't work. And I'm not getting into "changes at IRS either. It isn't their problem and I believe I am supposed to produce a return that would "pass all the tests" anyway. Truth is....the fee will be based on how much work I need to do....and their income and/or lifestyle. I always say..."If you have any questions, please let me know." Most just ignore that statement; some will ask when they can expect their refunds; a few will ask me to explain every single deduction and the amt! If a question cannot be answered in a few lines....I'll invoke "the hourly rate". Truth be told....no more "free rides".